COPD decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development, including obtaining the Veteran's complete military personnel records and determining if exposure to herbicides in Thailand may be conceded on a facts found basis.

The Veteran's PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder are granted service connection. Service connection for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and skin condition (to include squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's death was due to service-connected disabilities and considering if there was clear and unmistakable error in the March 2013 rating decision that denied DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his in-service asbestos exposure contributed to his COPD and chronic renal failure, which were significant causes of his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, and lung disability due to inadequate examinations that did not properly consider the Veteran's lay statements. The Veteran was stationed aboard a submarine where he may have been exposed to asbestos, which could be related to his lung disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition and respiratory condition due to incomplete medical opinions in previous decisions. The Veteran is presumed to have incurred these conditions during his active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD and chronic bronchitis, was denied. The Veteran's CAD received an initial rating of 60 percent effective June 21, 2010. The Veteran's left foot disability remains in dispute.

The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent rating for PTSD was granted effective from May 23, 2014. The issues of service connection and increased ratings remain pending.

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD, and remanded the claim for residuals of colon cancer due to ionizing radiation or herbicide exposure. The case is returned to the RO for further development.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a respiratory condition to obtain additional evidence and further development.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and remanded the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a right testicle disability.

The Board granted service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on the Veteran's exposure to various toxins during his military service.

The Board granted service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on the Veteran's exposure to toxic substances during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions on the presumption of soundness and aggravation, requiring another addendum opinion from a different examiner.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms before June 25, 2018 did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent.,From September 5, 2006 to June 24, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's COPD is found to be caused by his service-connected PTSD, which led him to continue smoking cigarettes. This decision grants service connection for COPD as secondary to the service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD and consideration of new medical records.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to grant service connection for bilateral pes planus and a respiratory disability. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of COPD at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service ear condition and exposure to herbicides. The TDIU and cause of death issues are also remanded.